Rangers Head coach Mike Sullivan Doesn't Hold Back While Encouraging Star Defenseman To Perform Better
Photo credit: NHLI
The hope that Adam Fox has a rebound in production next season is a feeling that is shared amongst the Blueshirts fanbase and Head Coach Mike Sullivan. Sullivan believes that the bar for the top Rangers defenseman is high, and Fox is capable of reaching that level once again.
Adam Fox had a "down year" in 2024-25, where he scored 10-51-61 points, and despite the injury, was a reliable producer in the league.
But he would go missing during key moments, and for Mike Sullivan, he hopes to see the former Norris Trophy winner reach a higher level of play he knows he's capable of.
«I think 'Foxy' knows he's capable of a better game. And him and I have had discussions about it, and I think he's inspired with the opportunity to bring a better version of himself,» Sullivan told The Athletic at the recent United States Olympic orientation camp. «And I told him when I became his coach that I was going to do everything in my power to help him become the best version of himself.»
Despite his "dip" in the NHL this season, Fox still managed to produce at a pace good enough for third on the Rangers and ninth among NHL defenseman.
His 51 assists were just shy of tying Artemi Panarin, who had 52 this season, and would be good enough to put him sixth amongst all defenseman in the NHL.
The dip in production would signal something troubling, as this was the first time in four seasons that Fox would produce below 70 points. He'd fail to be ranked in the top five of Norris Trophy voting in 2024-25 as well.
Adam Foxs Fall From Grace and The Depth Chart
Fox would experience a demotion during the Four Nations Face-Off, as he'd be pushed down the depth chart, even in the midst of a Charlie McAvoy injury.
According to criticisms, he seemed slow on the ice against high-speed opponents during the best-on-best tournament, which left him out of position against Connor McDavid and Canada.
Despite all of his shortcomings this season, Mike Sullivan believes that the Rangers defenseman will rebound this season, as a former Norris Trophy winner.
«We think, we believe, that Foxy's capable of a next-level game. A Norris Trophy-caliber game,» Sullivan explained. «You don't win the Norris Trophy if you're not capable of that, and we believe he still is.»
Sullivan has seen Fox play against him as the former coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins, and will hold him to high standards this season. Standards he knows that he's capable of holding up to.
Fox will have to put in the extra effort to maintain the idea that he's an elite defenseman in the league despite continued rhetoric against the Rangers' defenseman. It's left him at a crossroads, as there are concerns about the lack of consideration for a spot on Team USA's Olympic team in Milano-Cortina in 2026.
It'll be up to Fox and Sullivan to clear up any notions that he's not the same defenseman we've seen before.
Previously on NY Rangers Insider
TRENDING NOW
